In Memory of Murel Wilson
Dear guitar fans and followers of the guitar society –
Murel Wilson, mother of local classical guitarist and composer Joe Thompson, passed away peacefully in the loving presence of her family on June 16 at the age of 105. Some of you may remember her from guitar society gatherings with Joe and Marcy. As for myself, I will always remember the smiling, soft-spoken presence of this tiny, sweet woman at our gatherings. I was lucky enough to get to know her when she was a spry 80-something!
I’ve appended her obituary below, and you can see photos and tributes at:
https://www.litwillersimonsen.com/obituaries/Murel-Wilson/
You can also post a tribute there. Information about her funeral on Friday, July 1 is posted at litwillersimonsen.com/obituaries/Murel-Wilson/#!/Obituary.
Joe told me recently that she always enjoyed the guitar society meetings, and I was touched to hear that she wanted any contributions in her name to go to the guitar society (as stated in the obituary). I didn’t realize that the organization and gatherings meant that much to her, and I am humbled to know that we provided something valuable and dear to her.
I want to share one other story. Joe told me that his father played the violin and used it to court Murel with the song Estrellita by Manuel Ponce. In that spirit, I’ve posted a rendition recorded by Joe, Steve Berman, and myself as the Dark Rose Trio. You can hear it on the GSSO YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/rf9sxy5AEE0
Rest in peace, Murel. You are loved!
Respectfully submitted,Grant RuizFlamenco and classical guitaristSecretary, GSSO
541-261-3811
Obituary for Murel Wilson
Murel Elizabeth Wilson, née O’Grady was born in the Bahama Islands on January 9, 1917 to John Harold and Clara Mae O’Grady. She was the second of three children. Her two brothers were Declan and Harold O’Grady. While Murel was still an infant, the family moved to Jacksonville Florida. Murel married her high school sweetheart, Glenn George Thompson and they moved to South Carolina where they established their home and where they raised their four children: John (Jack) Harold, Glenn George Jr., Clara Joy and Joseph Lawrence. Glenn Sr. built and opened a saw mill where he produced lumber for the US Navy for ship building during World War II.
In 1952, Glenn Sr. and Murel moved the family to Phoenix, Oregon where they purchased a family home. The downtown property included a Chevron gas station and a ten unit motel. The gas station next to the family home became a popular place for folks both young and old from the community. This was before the Interstate freeway and all north south automobile traffic drove right by the motel and station. In 1956, Murel gave birth to their fifth child, Melanie Ann.
The sudden passing of Glenn Sr. at the young age of 42 left Murel with the multiple challenges of raising her children on her own and generating income to support her family. With help from her mother, Clara, she went to nursing school and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) working at Medford’s Rogue Valley Hospital. Eventually, Murel became a Jackson County Health nurse where her work involved driving to homes throughout the county to help people in need of medical care.
As time passed, Murel met Andrew (Andy) Bradley Wilson who had moved to Ashland in the middle 1940’s. Andy had purchased a home with acreage at the end of Strawberry Lane where he raised chickens and grew peaches. He also worked as a welder at Medford Steel. Murel and Andy were both fine dancers and they loved going out to dinner in his 1961 powder blue Thunderbird and then to dances at the Elks Lodge in Ashland. They also enjoyed listening to recordings of the music of the great crooners from the forties and fifties.
After a number of years dating, Murel and Andy married in the spring of 1970 and began planning their hilltop dream home. Through their union, Murel gained a step son Ron Wilson and step daughter Sandy Wilson Sorenson. Andy retired in 1975 and Murel in 1977. They both enjoyed working around their property and making improvements to their new home. They both loved golfing and became regulars at Ashland’s Oak Knoll Golf Course. Murel began lessons in oil painting and her skills improved rapidly leading to an exquisite portrait of her mother, Clara. Murel was also very skilled at writing. She worked in her notebook on stories that her mother, Clara, had shared with her. They were stories from her mother’s childhood that had been handed down to her.
After 25 years in their Strawberry Home, Andy passed away peacefully at the age of 86. Soon after, Murel moved into Mountainview Retirement Community in Ashland. Over the years, Murel was very active in the social life of the Mountainview community. She celebrated her 100th birthday there with her many friends and family members.
Her son, Joseph (Joe) and his wife, Marcy had purchased the Strawberry Home from the family and made it their home. Joe and Marcy discussed the possibility of asking Murel to share their Strawberry Home with them and that June, 2017, she moved back into her Strawberry Dream Home where she spent the last five years of her life.
After a rich and courageous life of 105 years, Murel Elizabeth passed peacefully away.
Her grandchildren are: Jack Thompson, Shelley Hattig, Valerie Thompson, Brett Thompson, Terry Eastburn, Chrissy Thompson, Rick Jennings, Todd Jennings, Wes Wilson, Jodie Giorgi, Suzi Jacobson, Teresa Carter, Tami Sorenson, Tira Sorenson, Tobi Sorenson, Trista Sorenson, Troy Sorenson, Darci Heroy and Lee Vanduzer. She is survived by 36 great grandchildren and 18 great great grandchildren
Murel requested that any donations be made to Guitar Society of Southern Oregon (formerly known as Jefferson Classical Guitar Society) and can be sent to 960 Bellview Ave, Ashland, OR 97520
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Murel Wilson please visit our Sympathy Store.
